A 5km-walk through the streets of Mmabatho marked more than just a physical challenge – it was a call to recognise and understand the realities of bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorder.

On 30 April 2025, members of the Lifestyle Diseases research focus area at the North-West University (NWU) joined forces with the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, Kgatelopele Wellness Centre and the North West College of Nursing to host a mental health awareness campaign under the theme “Ending the stigma through embracing our differences”.

South Africa's ambitious efforts to curb carbon emissions while maintaining economic growth are facing new scrutiny as researchers explore the link between carbon tax, emissions and GDP growth.

Dr Victor Mofema, a lecturer in the subject group Economics at the North-West University (NWU) and a recent PhD graduate, believes increasing the country’s carbon tax gradually could further reduce emissions while supporting growth.

By Gofaone Motsamai

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes how knowledge is created, shared and verified, questions are being raised about data use and bias, and whether it could be replicating Western biases and global gender disparities.

The School of Agricultural Sciences at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus is preparing a new generation of agricultural professionals through a combination of academic training, practical experience and sector-focused initiatives.

Comprising four core disciplines, namely agricultural economics and extension, animal health, animal sciences, and crop sciences, the school offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes aimed at meeting industry needs.

Armed conflict has been raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since January 2025, raising many questions about peace, war and geopolitics. The North-West University’s (NWU’s) Centre for Geopolitical Security and Strategy and Afrocentric Governance of Public Affairs, in collaboration with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), analysed the geopolitical and conflict dynamics unfolding in the DRC.

Marketing is not about persuasion. It is about perception. This was the core message from Mr Neville Matjie, CEO of Brand South Africa and alumnus of the North-West University (NWU), during a guest lecture held for marketing students in an effort to give back to the university. The session was hosted by the Career Services and Alumni Relations department in collaboration with the School of Marketing.

While science and technology are important, these disciplines should not eclipse the need for moral reasoning, history and cultural understanding, said renowned scholar Prof Toyin Falola in a public lecture at the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus on 8 May 2025.

Emphasising the critical role of humanities education in shaping Africa's future, his lecture, titled “Humanities education for Africa's futures”, explored the growing marginalisation of humanities disciplines in favour of technology and science.

By Gofaone Motsamai and Phenyo Mokgothu

One of the world’s most-cited African scholars, Professor Toyin Falola, has received an honorary doctorate from the North-West University (NWU).

The degree was conferred on 9 May 2025 during a graduation ceremony held at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus. This recognition marks a significant milestone in the university’s relationship with the eminent historian, who delivered a public lecture recently humanities education for African futures.

New career horizons in healthcare are opening up to Northern Cape learners thanks to an outreach visit by healthcare professionals from the School of Nursing Sciences on the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Mahikeng Campus.

A team from Nursing Sciences visited Tlhwahalang Secondary School in Jan Kempdorp in the Northern Cape on 16 April 2025 to offer career guidance to Grade 11 and 12 learners and assist them with university applications.

One of the world’s most-cited African scholars, Prof Toyin Falola, is deepening his connection with the North-West University (NWU) and its Mahikeng Campus in particular. Two years after delivering a public lecture there on indigenous languages and global cultural shifts, he is returning to receive an honorary doctorate from the NWU.